AeroVironment has secured a $55.3 million contract to deliver Switchblade loitering munitions as part of the US Army’s Directed Requirement for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS). The order includes both the Switchblade 300 and 600 models, designed to provide infantry soldiers with enhanced precision to neutralize fortified targets such as tanks and armored vehicles.

The Switchblade 300 is a lightweight, man-portable system, with a range of 10 kilometers and 15 minutes of flight time, while the more advanced Switchblade 600 can engage targets up to 40 kilometers away with precision, offering 40 minutes of endurance. This order is part of a five-year contract with a ceiling of $900 million, aimed at strengthening the Army's unmanned system capabilities.